Keenan Stadium Jamshedpur - 831001 Mr. John Lawrence Keenan was born on January 9, 1889 at Roxbury, Massachusetts. He completed his college education in 1911 from Yale University and came to India during 1913. He was recruited as a Foreman in the Blast Furnace at Tata Iron & Steel Co. He was only 24 then. He got regular promotions there on and was quickly made General Manager in 1930. He served the steel plant for 25 years. He was a kind, sensitive and above all a catalyst. He made a special place in the hearts of workers at plant as well as people of the city. And thus, when he retired and was returning back to USA his farewell was celebrated splendidly. His farewell was organised on 26th December, 1937, Sunday at Town Hall (now United Club) and was presented with lots of gifts and a certificate by the people of Jamshedpur. To keep the memories of Mr. Keenan alive, it was decided by the farewell committee to build a stadium at the North Park Ground and the stadium to be named Keenan Stadium. Then the cost of the stadium was estimated at Rs. 25,000.00. Thus Keenan Farewell Committee issued an appeal to the people for help in constructing the stadium. A contribution of Rs. 500.00 from Nauraji Saklatvala, Rs. 200.00 from J R D Tata and Rs. 300.00 from Bombay Office was received. But most of the contribution came from people of the city. Jehangir Gandhy, chairman of the committee requested Mr. J R D Tata to inaugurate the stadium on 22nd November 1939. Mr. Jehangir Gandhy, was again made the Chairman of the Stadium Committee. The stadium was inaugurated on 2nd December 1939 at 10 AM. Thus Keenan Stadium was born. Back to Keenan Stadium Home Page.......